Drug Store vs. Professional Products

I'm sure you've heard other skin care professionals trash talk drug store products, and I know you've seen "Dermatologist Recommended" on all sorts of drug store products, but who's right?

Well... the short answer is both.

Drug Store Products:

First, let's talk about drug store products. They definitely have pros and cons! I will be the first to say that there are some nice ones out there that are gentle, effective and budget friendly. However, when we look at the ingredient deck, they may be likely to have a very low concentration of actives or possibly even toxic filler ingredients that could potentially harm you in the long run. Cheap formulations will not benefit you.

Some products that you get at high end stores like Sephora, etc. may be on the opposite side of the spectrum! They may contain actives that can strip your barrier, or be way too harsh for the average user. I'm looking at you Ordinary BHA peel.... you may be inexpensive, but you're not it girl! Or full of fragrances and dyes... cough cough Mario Badescu

Professional Products:

Professional products you can get from your local spa or med spa will also have pros and cons. The reason we recommend them to our clients is because these products are formulated to have higher concentration of actives and higher quality ingredients. Formulations are science driven to provide results and deliver ingredients where they are needed. Also, they are formulated to be stable. For example: Did you know that Vitamin C is incredibly unstable and there are multiple forms? A product that only contains one form of Vitamin C, probably isn't going to do much for you. You want to look for products that are going to contain the right ingredients, with the right properties, and delivery mechanisms to push those ingredients into the cells. (That's a whole lotta science I won't go into because I'll probably loose you!)

The downside of professional products? Let's be honest... the cost is a big one. I know that the price tag on some of these items can seem scary and it's not feasible for everyone. And that's okay! However; just know that because of the formulations with these products, typically you don't need to use as much to see and feel results. Professional skin care is an investment. The cost is higher due to formulations and higher concentration of actives. Another downside to professional products? I'm going to say it, and I will probably ruffle some feathers... an eager to sell skincare professional. If someone sells you a whole routine with no knowledge of your skin, and just a quick explanation of how to use a million things, you probably aren't going to have a lot of success and you could harm your barrier by using too many actives at once. Also, if you start to incorporate too many new things at once, and you have a negative reaction, you won't be able to pinpoint what caused it. Understanding your lifestyle is huge too! How are you going to start a 7 step routine if you are working several jobs, have kids to take care of and whatever else you have going on? You're probably going to have inconsistency, and... no results.

Slow and steady wins... every time! Consistency wins... every time!

Which Should You Choose?

This is entirely up to you! You'll need to decide what is important to you: Results, Formulations, Budget... etc. And you certainly can do both! Talk with your skincare professional and see what works for you. When it comes to my recommendations, if you are currently using drug store products and are happy with your results, great! Keep doing what you're doing. Let me know what you're using! But if you are looking to see more results and aren't happy with your products, let's talk about it. There's room for both in your world.